The Small Town In New Jersey That Transforms Into A Magical Harry Potter Wonderland

I can barely contain my excitement. As a huge Harry Potter fan, visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios has been a dream of mine for years. While it hasn’t happened yet, I can now experience the next best thing right in my home state. New Jersey’s first ever family-friendly Harry Potter festival is being held in the charming town of Pitman this October.

Originally a Methodist camp town, similar to Ocean Grove, its streets were once lined with tents. Now, quaint cottages fill those spaces. An alcohol-free town until 2014, you can now purchase wine by the bottle at local wineries and beer by the glass at breweries. Very much a family friendly town, the borough is big on community events. Enjoy art strolls, craft shows, and a very special Christmas celebration.

Visit on October 20th and 21st for the most magic you've ever seen in the muggle (human) world. Nearly the entire town is taking part, so you can expect special events, displays, and merchandise at local businesses. The Pitman Gallery & Art Center will be exhibiting a Harry Potter-themed show and Restored Antiquity will be hosting a wand workshop! Anyone can participate but you may need to register in advance.

Head to Fahrenheit Ceramic Studio and paint Harry Potter-inspired pottery! The festival will also feature a magical village of vendors and food trucks. The majority of the events will take place on Saturday, the 21st, but tickets can be purchased for Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone at the Broadway Theater on Friday night.

Festival events! The tentative schedule includes Quidditch lessons, a Defense Against The Dark Arts class, a Herbology class, a Sorting Hat demonstration, a costume contest, wizard chess, a horcrux scavenger hunt and more. The downside? The day tickets went on sale, and they sold out. BUT, a limited number of wristbands were available (at press time) with sponsorships, starting at $25. Your sponsorship also includes recognition on Platform 9 3/4. I don't know about you but I'm getting one of those tickets ASAP... if they're still available.

Remember, a wristband isn’t necessary to enjoy the magic as almost all of Pitman is taking part. You can expect all sorts of events to apparate into town over the weekend. However, I’d jump on those sponsorships (fingers crossed!); I could really use a bit of brushing up on Herbology. To learn more, visit Pitman Potter Festival on the web here.

And if you can’t make it to Pitman, don’t despair! Swedesboro will also be hosting their first ever Harry Potter Festival this year, on October 28th. It will cater to a younger crowd but it’s sure to be fun for all believers! Tickets will be sold locally sometime this month. For more details, check the town’s website. For magic of a different kind in New Jersey, check out this enchanting tree tunnel.